Hi all,
I have a MY21 XC90 T8 Inscription Expression aka "Momentum". It does not come with the Orrefors shifter by default like previous model year T8s did. It does have the shift by wire mechanism. So I have tried to install the crystal shifter after purchase via:
1) simply swapping out the knob. I found the part, ordered it and took everything apart to find out that the two knobs are not interchangeable. So...
2) swapping out the whole mechanism. Found that part, took it all apart, installed it and then the car would not recognize the shifter. Although it was installed, it wouldn't shift. Asked the dealer for help and they tried to reset the software etc but still no go. The software in the car/VIDA recognized that my specific car did not come with that shift mechanism and it blocked it.
3) never give up. Swapped out the PCB boards from the Orrefors shifter assembly with the one inside the shifter assembly in my car
WIN!
Part number of the Orrefors shifter assembly: 32280785
General instructions:
The elephant in the room is the disassembly of the center console to get to the gear shifter assembly. This takes a long time. 5 hours for us.
Disassembly of the center console
Swapping out the PCB boards
![126340]( "126340")
- the Orrefors board will have one connector for the LED light. That must be disconnected and the wire can be electrical taped or tucked into the plastic holding it.
![126336]( "126336")
- to swap out the boards, slide out the piece of white plastic from the board. It comes out easy. It has grease on it that you may elect to replenish
![126339]( "126339")
![126337]( "126337")
Attach the shifter assembly back into the console
Put everything back together in reverse
Turn on your car and try to shift
Win
PS: will clean up these instructions with more time. I have to gather and organize the photos.
I have a MY21 XC90 T8 Inscription Expression aka "Momentum". It does not come with the Orrefors shifter by default like previous model year T8s did. It does have the shift by wire mechanism. So I have tried to install the crystal shifter after purchase via:
1) simply swapping out the knob. I found the part, ordered it and took everything apart to find out that the two knobs are not interchangeable. So...
2) swapping out the whole mechanism. Found that part, took it all apart, installed it and then the car would not recognize the shifter. Although it was installed, it wouldn't shift. Asked the dealer for help and they tried to reset the software etc but still no go. The software in the car/VIDA recognized that my specific car did not come with that shift mechanism and it blocked it.
3) never give up. Swapped out the PCB boards from the Orrefors shifter assembly with the one inside the shifter assembly in my car
WIN!
Part number of the Orrefors shifter assembly: 32280785
General instructions:
The elephant in the room is the disassembly of the center console to get to the gear shifter assembly. This takes a long time. 5 hours for us.
- we used these instructions and they were pretty much spot on. Volvo XC90 Center Console Removal - katharsys blog.
- yes, we had no choice but to remove the passenger seat. There is a ground cable from the console that is screwed on to the floor under the amp under the passenger seat
- get a lot of good trim tools to remove the wood trim holding the volume/climate controls. In general the trim tools were needed a lot to pry so much of the center console stuff apart safely
- once the console is removed, 30% of the work is done. The console is one huge layered bundle of plastic and electronics. Unfortunately, the gear sifter assembly is on the last layer. One must disassemble the console to get to the gear shifter assembly
Disassembly of the center console
- have a torx set. There were a lot of torx screws. T25 and T15 were both used.
- be organized. There were 100 screws total removed total. Taking photos and having extensions for the torx bits were necessary. We had a 4" extension holding on our power screw driver for many different screws in hard to reach areas
- there was an 11mm bolt that had to be removed
- once you are done with this part, you have completed 50% of the job
- you do need to pull up the rubber mat at the bottom of the console cabinet to access two bolts
Swapping out the PCB boards
- the shifter assembly is held together with 4 T15 screws on the factory assembly and 5 screws on the Orrefors
- There are four clips holding the faceplate in place that can be easily removed and lifted up
- the factory assembly needs to be wiggled apart since the knob does not come out. OPTIONAL: You can remove the knob by using a pry tool to pry off the right side chrome piece on the shift knob. It is glued on. There is a screw there. I avoided doing this and just wiggled the assembly apart instead.
- you cannot just swap out the knobs. The Orrefors knob is held in place by the T15 screw but the factory leather wrapped knob is glued onto the plastic within the assembly. Therefore, you must swap out the boards. The Orrefors is on the left and the factory is on the right
- the Orrefors board will have one connector for the LED light. That must be disconnected and the wire can be electrical taped or tucked into the plastic holding it.
- to swap out the boards, slide out the piece of white plastic from the board. It comes out easy. It has grease on it that you may elect to replenish
- take the black plastic piece that held the Orrefors shift knob and attach it to the factory PCB board without the LED connector.
- reassemble the gear shifter assembly and attach the Orrefors knob. Be very careful when sliding the board back into the housing. Pay attention to the location of the 2 green buttons that activate the P (park) button. If you try to quickly jam things back in there, you risk having the rubber pieces on the buttons coming up and not depress the P button properly.
Attach the shifter assembly back into the console
Put everything back together in reverse
Turn on your car and try to shift
Win
PS: will clean up these instructions with more time. I have to gather and organize the photos.
